This is embarrassing – but I can’t cook. My family knows as do all my friends and boyfriend. So what this means is that I eat out – a lot! My top number one place to go is the Olive Tree Café just outside Kahala Mall here in Honolulu.

The Olive Tree is a casual Greek restaurant that serves the tastiest dishes. The ingredients are fresh and the staff is attentive and friendly. When I walk into the café, I often feel like “Norm” from Cheers, as I am greeted with aloha by Rich, Romey or the owner Savas. The setup is very informal, you seat yourself, and on busy nights you “stalk out tables” as customers leave to secure a spot. They do not have a liquor license so you can bring you own and there is no corkage fee.

I always start off with humus and pita bread or the mussels. Then move on to my signature meal – the Greek salad. I often also order the fish or lamb Souvlaki which is also yummy. Olive Tree has daily specials, so be sure to inquire when you place your order at the counter. While the menu isn’t extensive, it is quality. Savas really embraces the concept of “fresh” in all his dishes. One Saturday I was eating there and no joke, a guy backed his truck up and they brought in a huge fish into the kitchen that was mostly likely swimming in the ocean just moments before. Now that is fresh!

I recommend calling in your order, and then taking it to the beach or some other fun Hawaii spot. When my mother was here, I had multiple requests to pick up Olive Tree and bring it back to her Waikiki hotel. We opened a bottle of wine and dined on her lanai. If you are looking for an inexpensive, delicious meal – go to the Olive Tree Café. And for the record, no they aren’t paying me and yes I do have to pay for my meals there. As a matter a fact – I think I hear an order of humus calling my name now.
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